On March 19, 2024, Trinidad Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling through Trinidad on Interstate 25. During the traffic stop, K9 Jefe was deployed to conduct a free air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle.  Upon doing so, K9 Jefe alerted to the presence of narcotic odor. A subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted and officers located over 72 pounds of suspected fentanyl and over 29 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. There were an estimated 330,000 suspected fentanyl pills recovered from the traffic stop. The estimated street value of the drugs is $2.25 million.  It is believed the drugs were being delivered to Colorado.

The driver of the vehicle, Bartolo Rodriquez, was arrested and transported to the Las Animas County Jail. He is being held on a $50,000 bond and faces the following charges: Unlawful distribution / manufacture / dispensing / sale / possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance, a class 1 drug felony and two counts possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance, a class 4 drug felony.